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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Iran's foreign minister is condemning Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen but says the nuclear talks in Switzerland between his nation and six world powers remain focused on reaching a deal.
The strikes against Shiite rebels who have seized control in Yemen are straining relations between the Sunni kingdom of Saudi Arabia and predominantly Shiite Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the attacks "have to stop" and all concerned need to "encourage dialogue and national reconciliation" in Yemen.
But he says while Yemen is the "hot issue," the negotiations in Switzerland "are confined to the nuclear" issue.
Zarif spoke shortly after his first meeting of the day with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The sides are hoping to narrow gaps in time to reach a preliminary deal by the end of the month. That would allow them to try and negotiate a comprehensive agreement by late June to put long-term curbs on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
%@AP Links
129-a-12-(Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (zhuh-VAHD' zah-REEF'), speaking to reporters during a walk at nuclear negotiations with U.S. delegation)-"confined to the nuclear"-Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Saudi Arabia's attacks on Yemen have not stalled the nuclear talks, which include Secretary of State John Kerry. ((note audio quality)) (27 Mar 2015)
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APPHOTO JCB331: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, walks outside the hotel during a break after a bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for a new round of Nuclear Talks, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Keystone,Jean-Christophe Bott) (27 Mar 2015)
<<APPHOTO JCB331 (03/27/15)££
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